Brigels Ski Resort Switzerland

Lovely Brigels is the small ski resort that skis BIG. Located in Grisons (Graubünden) canton near Chur, Brigels (or Breil) delivers a fantastic ski experience on uncrowded sunny slopes in a classic Swiss rural setting.

Brigels was rated by Powderhounds in the Top 3 best small ski resorts in Europe. Small being a relative term - Brigels has wide ranging terrain, over 1300m skiable vertical & no one there to compete with you on a powder day. Put Brigels on your list of 'Ski Things To Do"!

Summary of Pros & Cons for Brigels Ski Resort

Pros

A local family ski resort that skis BIG;

Rated in Top 3 best small ski resorts in Europe;

Uncrowded;

Quality piste trails for all levels;

Sensational off-piste powder;

Value for money;

Very good range of non-ski activities;

Beautiful local accommodation;

Delicious restaurant food & drink on mountain and in town;

Easy access by public transport;

Exceptionally friendly staff and locals.

Cons

Base area is low elevation;

Slow lifts;

No expert terrain.

Pro or Con (depending on your perspective)

Brigels Skiing & Snowboarding Terrain

The great pleasure of skiing or snowboarding Brigels is that it provides uncomplicated terrain and full skiable vertical while utilising only a small number of ski lifts. Not counting the main learn to ski area slightly detached from the main ski hill near the Pradas Resort, the entire mountain is effectively served by three chairlifts.

Broad swathes of rolling intermediate piste trails stream down the entire 1300m vertical from the high alpine into lightly wooded hay barn territory down low. The 50km of piste trails ski BIGGER than excepted & will keep one's interest for quite some time. See the Brigels ski trail map here.

Brigels chair lifts are on the slower side of the ledger, but there is no rush, so enjoy the ride & scenery. A fourth chair runs only rarely & is locally called the 'romantic' chair due to its lack of pace allowing ample time for relationship forming (or destruction!). The advanced terrain its serves is accessible via other lifts, so whether it runs or not is neither here nor there.

Every inch of Brigels is skiable off piste. Ripping long fast lines in alpine powder then picking one's way through light trees, past hay barns & into the valley is an absolute joy. Competition for fresh tracks is non-existent.

Brigels is generally snowboard friendly, with only one traverse & a couple of T-bars causing any potential issues.

Snow & Weather

The ski resort is in a high snowfall of south east Switzerland, however the Brigels resort base areas are reasonable low elevation & the slopes do face the sunny south.

The southerly aspect can affect snow quality down low, but most terrain is above 1700m where the snow remains old & crisp. Snow making is limited to major top to bottom trails & linking traverses, so Brigels can skied in even the leanest parts of the winter season.

Where is Brigels, Switzerland?

Brigels ski resort is above the town of the same name in the Surselva region of canton Grisons (Graubünden) midway between Andermatt & the capital Chur. Just to confuse things, Brigels is also known as Breil, &

Brigels is only 48km (50min) west of Chur by road. In winter, road closures to the west require the use of trains if coming from the direction of Andermatt.

Brigels is easily accessed on train services operated by the Rhaetian railway which connect to buses at the Tavanasa station. Gateway international airports are Zurich & Milan Malpensa. Search & book train tickets to Tavanasa near Brigels here. Buy a bus ticket to Brigels from the bus driver.

Brigels Accommodation

Brigels ski resort has three villages at its base, the largest of which is Brigels (Breil), the smaller being Waltensburg (Vuorz) & the hamlet of Andiast.

In Brigels several great hotels & guesthouses are in town a short walk or ski from the resort base. The closest accommodation is at the Pradas Resort Apartments, which is 'ski in' to the learn to ski area but 'walk in' from the main ski area! The excellent Hotel Vincenz is a short skate across the Plaun Rueun to the lift base & 'ski in' from the learn to ski area on the return. Further afield is the best rated hotel on the plateau, the Hotel La Val Bergspa Brigels.

At the Waltensburg lift base, the Hotel Ucliva is the absolute closest lodgings to the ski resort but is in a quiet area. Andiast has the excellent Hotel Postigluin, & whilst it is away from the resort can be skied to via off-piste meadows, plus a free ski bus stops at the door.

Alternative locations to stay if one doesn't have their own transport are at hotels & guesthouses near the train stations of Tavanasa (like the Ustria Crusch Alva), Ilanz & Disentis. Further afield the large city of Chur provides oodles of choice.

Other Activities at Brigels

As with all good Swiss ski resorts, if you are not into hurtling oneself down the hill at a rate of knots on skis, Brigels has alternative forms of activity & entertainment. Two long sledding trails are available to hurtle oneself down the hill with all the family on a sled. Access is via chairlift from either the Brigels or Waltensburg base. Winter walking trails extend for many kilometres between the villages & across the ski resort up to the restaurant at Alp Dado. A small snow tubing area is free of charge at Brigels. An extensive network of beautifully groomed cross-country trails.

If all that fails to energise you from a winter slumber, you can have a crack at Eisstockschießen (ice stock sport) on the frozen Brigels Lake. Eisstockschießen is a local sport similar (but different) to curling!

Nearby Ski Resorts

Brigels is close to some of the largest & best known ski resorts in Switzerland including Andermatt Sedrun and Laax. Across the valley from Brigels is the local competition, the larger north facing Obersaxon Mundaun. The soon to be expanded Disentis 3000 ski resort is on the train line to the west.